Tag: Fred Hollows

[Admin Toby] This time last year was the 50th Anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off, which is commemorated every year by a festival at Kalkaringji and Daguragu. This video clip captures the parade on the path of the walk-off, concert and fireworks to a live edit of ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’.

On the 23rd of August Vincent Lingiari led the workers and families to walk off Wave Hill station and begin their seven-year strike. Initially, a strike against work and living conditions, it soon became a long campaign for the return of thier most sacred lands.

In 1967, Gurindji petitioned the Governor-General, claiming 1,295 km² of land near Wave Hill. Their claim was rejected. While Dagaragu would eventually become the first cattle station to be owned and managed by an Aboriginal community, today known as the Murramulla Gurindji Company, it took many years before the Gurindji achieved this.

In 1969 the Liberal-National CountryCoalition government was given a proposal to give eight square kilometres back to the Gurindji. Cabinet refused even to discuss the issue.

In support of the walk-off there were demonstrations and arrests in southern Australia and many church, student and trade union groups gave practical and fundraising support to the Gurindji struggle.

Vincent Lingiari, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa and others toured Australia, with the support of workers’ unions, to give talks, raise awareness, build support for their cause and have meetings with major lawyers and politicians. Frank Hardy recalled at a fundraising meeting, a donor gave $500 after hearing Vincent Lingiari speak. The donor – who said he had never before met an Aboriginal person – was a young Dr Fred Hollows the eye surgeon.

Hardy also records Pincher Manguari as saying:

“We want them Vestey mob all go away from here. Wave Hill Aboriginal people bin called Gurindji. We bin here long time before them Vestey mob. This is our country, all this bin Gurindji country. Wave Hill bin our country. We want this land; we strike for that.”

In 1975, the Labor government of Gough Whitlam negotiatiated with Vesteys to give the Gurindji back a portion of their land. This was a breakthrough in the land rights movement in Australia.

“I want this to acknowledge that we Australians have still much to do to redress the injustice and oppression that has for so long been the lot of Black Australians.”

The handback took place on 16 August 1975 with Whitlams speach and the famous gesture of pouring sand into Vincent’s Lingiari’s hand.

Day 345

Day 345: 10.30am

Day 345: 11.30am

Just got giving a possuim skin to wear to Canberra from the elder’s of Mittagong town. It look beautiful, amazing an it a honour to wear it. They giving it to me to wear it until I finish the walk off and I when I finish the walk i we’ll give it back to the elder’s in Mittagong. Thank you guys so much for this.

Day 345

Our start to the day to our lunch break in Appin. 22nd. – Noonie

Day 345: 12.30pm

[Admin Toby] Update: Clinton is approaching Mittagong today. 👣🐾

One of the buses will shuttle people from Campbelltown between where he is, and each camp site for the night. ⛺️

And the rules on the bus go round and round 😀🚌🎶 Pick up’s are along the main road only. No drugs or drinking – elders and children are priority 👍

Day 345: 12.30pm

[Admin Luke] Hey all, Admin Luke with a quick reminder that we’re still trying to raise enough funds to cover the cost of bringing the Admin Team and Uncle Noel over to join Clinton in Canberra!

We’ve almost made it all the way to our goal, just $1460 to go!!

That said, we’re also considering adding an extra $500 to help bring Clinton’s lady across to join us too..

When you got little supporter and kids who look up to you as a hero to them. Also on top dress up like you and going to walk with you when you walk into Canberra. How cute is this little man. Thank you Danielle M Baxter for sending me this picture of your boy.

Day 435

Our day on the 22nd of August, another enjoyable day in paradise. – Noonie